From the end of March to the end of June, the company more than doubled its reserves for anticipated losses to reflect continuing increases in mortgage delinquencies and the rising cost of disposing of foreclosed property.

Overall, the McLean company lost $821 million ($1.63 per share) in the second quarter, compared with a loss of $151 million (66 cents) in the quarter that ended March 31. For the second quarter of 2007, Freddie Mac reported a profit of $729 million.

*Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has asked Freddie and Fannie Mae whether they know of any White House involvement in the recent decline in their share prices. In a letter dated Aug. 1, Waxman told Freddie Mac CEO Richard F. Syron that he was "evaluating" whether to "open an investigation into the circumstances that precipitated the recent distress in the shares prices of Freddie Mac."

*The Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $44 million contract to extend shuttle service at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, despite complaints that the service operator had failed to meet state goals for minority participation. The three-year contract to First Transit was approved 2 to 1 at the close of a third contentious hearing on the issue. Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) cast the dissenting vote, with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp (D) in favor.